This book was such a beautiful and immersive read. It had everything I enjoy in a mythology retelling . emotional depth, strong character voices, and a story that felt both timeless and fresh. The focus on Aphrodite and Ares was a nice change from the usual retellings, and their dynamic really pulled me in.
Aphrodite stood out in such a strong way. She’s confident and powerful but also deeply thoughtful, and the book gives her space to reflect on what love and desire actually mean beyond just being admired. I loved how the story showed both her strength and her vulnerability without making her feel one dimensional.
Ares was complicated in all the best ways. He’s intense and proud, but there’s something softer underneath that starts to show the more their paths intertwine. Their relationship had tension and heat but also a real emotional core. It didn’t feel rushed or overly dramatic. It was slow and a little messy in a way that made sense for who they are.
The writing is lyrical and rich without feeling overly heavy. The world feels divine and epic but still grounded in the characters’ personal struggles. There were moments of stillness and reflection that balanced out the war and conflict, and it gave the story a nice emotional rhythm.
If you like mythology that leans into emotional storytelling and gives familiar characters more complexity, this is a really satisfying read. I finished it feeling like I’d just experienced something both classic and new.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was like reading an adult fairy tale. I've always love Greek Mythology but I found myself lost in the story of Aphrodite. I could almost visualise the people and costumes.
I shall be reading other books by this author.
I loved this book.

God, this was a gorgeous read! This Immortal Heart is a lush, mythic retelling of the timeless and turbulent love between Aphrodite, the goddess of love, and Ares, the god of war, driven by passion, conflict and the weight of divine fate. Saint reimagines these iconic figures with such emotional richness, exploring how love and loss collide among immortals, and how Aphrodite’s power over hearts becomes both a gift and a burden. Beautifully atmospheric and intimate in its characterisation, this novel blends romance and Greek mythology into a sweeping chronicle of desire and sacrifice. This entry into the recent boom of mythic retellings is a true stand-out.

This wasn’t one of the stories I was as familiar with, so I was super excited to have an opportunity to have a retelling by Jennifer Saint. It did not disappoint. Her perspective and immersive way of storytelling is wonderful, and from the first chapter I was engrossed. Saint is such an accomplished writer, and I’m sure she has inspired many of the other great pieces of work within the genre. If you loved her other work you will love this one too.

This Immortal Heart is an epic and emotionally charged retelling that places Aphrodite at the centre of her own story, reimagining the goddess of love as powerful, strategic, and fiercely driven by her convictions. From the moment she rises from the sea, fully formed and radiant with ancient power, Aphrodite is portrayed as far more than a symbol of desire. She is a force who understands influence, loyalty, and the cost of emotion.

As Aphrodite navigates Olympus and the mortal world, fate draws her into an unexpected and volatile connection with Ares, the god of war. He is widely disliked, hot tempered, and devoted to conflict, everything she believes she should resist. Yet their attraction is irresistible, and their love affair unfolds across mortal lifetimes, shaped by passion, violence, tenderness, and loss.

What makes this book so compelling is its exploration of contradiction. Aphrodite is both empathetic and ruthless, loving and furious, deeply aware of her responsibilities while longing to step beyond the rigid expectations placed upon her by Zeus and the other gods. Her relationship with Ares forces her to confront difficult questions about destiny, autonomy, and whether divine purpose can ever coexist with personal desire.

The writing is richly descriptive and immersive, grounding the myth in vivid imagery while giving it a modern emotional resonance. The sea, in particular, is woven beautifully into Aphrodite’s identity, reflecting both her mystery and her depth. The gods are written with psychological complexity, shaped by power, insecurity, and longing, rather than distant perfection.

I loved the feminist lens through which Aphrodite is portrayed. She is not reduced to beauty or romance, but shown as a goddess who fights for what she believes in and for the people affected by the gods’ games. Love here is expansive and complicated, not just a relationship, but a way of engaging with the world, with consequence and courage.

A bold, passionate, and thoughtful book that reclaims Aphrodite’s voice and tells a love story written in fire, blood, and defiance.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and honestly review an advanced reader’s copy of this book.

A gorgeous retelling of Aphrodite and Ares’ love story, that didn’t reduce everyone down to their most basic attributes like many others.
I loved reading about her going about her duties, her friendships and how she is with the Amazons

Once again Jennifer Saint has written an absolutely beautiful and immersive Greek Mythology retelling, this time focusing on Aphrodite and Ares.

I was captivated immediately by the interpretation of familiar characters from mythology, the vivid world building and by the lyrical writing.

This is my favourite of Saint’s mythology retellings to date and I am already looking forward to seeing which Greek Mythology character will be the focus of Saint’s next novel.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This Immortal Heart by Jennifer Saint can only be described as absolutely awe-inspiring! Yet another beautifully crafted mythological retelling from an author who truly understands the power of ancient stories told with passion and care on every page, pulling you effortlessly into a world shaped by fate, love, and loss.

Where do I begin! This book is both gripping and emotionally resonant, capturing themes with true, pure depth. Whilst it’s certainly a softer version of some of the alternative Aphrodite retellings I’ve read, and from some of Saint’s own previous works, (quiet starkly against her last novel Hera, though what can be said for that other than those two goddesses are quite literally the opposite end of the stick!), what stands out most is her reimagining of the story from a less-told perspective. Saint offers a fresh and thoughtful twist while remaining true to the mythological foundations, and what more could you want! It’s an impressive and engaging retelling that brings familiar legends vividly to life, while still honoring it so carefully.

It’s truly an incredible retelling that is emotional, immersive, and simply fantastic.

This Immortal Heart really surprised me in the best way. It pulled me in straight away and made a familiar myth feel fresh and exciting again. Aphrodite is written with so much more depth than I expected and felt thoughtful flawed and powerful rather than just the goddess of love. I especially enjoyed her relationship with Ares which felt intense complicated and at times genuinely tender. The writing is vivid without being heavy and the world of gods and mortals feels alive throughout. It’s emotional romantic and very easy to get lost in. If you enjoy mythology retellings this is absolutely worth picking up.

This Immortal Heart is a sweeping mythological retelling that focuses on Aphrodite and specifically, her relationship with Ares. Jennifer Saints books all have grounding I. Greek Mythology following different figures and goddesses, but back reading her entire catalogue is not necessary in accessing and enjoying this story.
When reading about immortal characters and having a story that spans centuries or millennia, there is a risk that the story can become stagnant. But this book had so many stories within the story and nods to certain myths that I felt I was constantly engaged. It also toed the line of not throwing too much at the reader and overwhelming them. It was like a snapshot of her story, not starting from the beginning and going all the way to the end.
Saints writing is magnificent, the descriptions of Ancient Greece itself and the mythological settings engage all the senses and it evokes such a rich picture while reading. Additionally, the characters are written in a complex manner, with clear emotions but also the volatile nature of a deity. While I adored this version of Aphrodite (I truly felt for her as she tried to help mortals around her but ultimately didn’t understand them and made a bit of a mess of it) as the protagonist, I adored Ares and while he is the volatile god of war, there was a quiet nature to him.
As an avid reader of Jennifer Saints books, I appreciate the research and detail that goes into them. I also liked how elements of this story didn’t fit like puzzle pieces with her previous books. It reflected the fact that mythology is constantly changing and evolving and that even in antiquity there was no one version or correct version of a myth.
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin General UK for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review,

I knew I would love this, but again Jennifer Saint has passed my expectations with a new favourite read. Absolutely lost myself in this story, and I really love Saint's version of both Aphrodite and Ares - complicated and beautiful. Vivid and emoitional without being too romancey for a non-romance reader, even with the Goddess of Love as the central character.
The duology of the Olympians (obviously mostly Aphrodite and Ares) and their relationship with both the mortal and immortal worlds are so fascinating and well written. Pleasantly surprised by some of the other characters that Aphrodite is involved in the lives of (particularly the way Pandora and Adonis inclusions are written), not to mention Saint's version of Hephastus.
Honestly it was just a 10/10 read and I cannot wait to re-read it!

Ever since I was a child I have enjoyed reading Greek and Roman myths. Now I thoroughly enjoy revisiting these ancient tales via feminist retellings. Jennifer Saint is a marvellous reteller and I have enjoyed all of her books. This Immortal Heart is an epic tale with Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, at its centre. It is very clear that not only has Jennifer Saint done considerable research into Greek mythology but she also has a great love of the stories. Perhaps not surprisingly given we are reading about the Goddess of Love, relationships form the central pivot of this tale. Relationships in Saint's hands are complex, frustrating, challenging, life affirming and life changing. All of these elements are seen in the love between Aphrodite and Ares, God of War but also in relationships with and between many other Gods and mortals. Particularly memorable characters for me in addition to these two were Hephaestes and the Amazon women. I would certainly love to read a full book by Saint focused on the Amazons.
In this book Saint's writing ability is particularly superb. The characters, while derived from ancient mythology, are skilfully written and developed as real people with contemporary feelings and issues. The variety of locations where each of the main characters have their own domain in addition to Olympus are all beautifully constructed creating feelings of freshness, terror, gloom or living on the edge, depending on the setting.
I really enjoyed this book which I will reread and have already recommended to friends and family. It is a book for all who enjoy superb writing, a gripping plot, excellent characterisation, brilliant sense of place and an intelligent, thought provoking read.
Thank you to the publishers Penguin General UK for an ARC of this title.I am delighted to provide this review.

I loved this one! Jennifer Saint is an auto-buy author for me and I was so grateful to receive an early copy of this one.
I did not know much about the story of Aphrodite and Ares before reading this one, but that didn't affect my reading experience in any way. The story is romantic, emotional, and at times frustrating.
I adored their romance in this novel, and enjoyed coming across a cast of characters I'm pretty familiar with due to my love for Greek mythology.
Highly recommend this one. and can totally see myself rereading it at some point!

I was completely absorbed by This Immortal Heart. Jennifer Saint’s writing is lyrical and evocative, bringing myth and emotion together in a way that feels both powerful and intimate. I loved the depth given to the characters and the way their inner lives were explored alongside the larger mythological stakes. The story is rich with longing, strength, and sacrifice, and it lingered with me long after I finished reading. A beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel.

This Immortal Heart is the tale of Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, and Are, God of War. On one hand we have Aphrodite, ruling over the loves and lusts of every heart, be it mortal or divine. Ruled by passion and desire, she strives to bring love and beauty to the world. Ares, on the other hand, inspires destruction, chaos and often fear. Two more different beings couldn't exist, and yet they are destined to come together...

First of all, I want to state that I adore Jennifer Saint's writing, and when I was accepted for this ARC I was thrilled. And I was not disappointed - she has done it again! The story is immersive, rich and encompassing, and I struggled to put it down. I adore a Greek mythology retelling, and I was not familiar with Aphrodite and Are's story beforehand, so it came as surprise to me how the tale unfolded.

Aphrodite is vital and passionate, emphatic, driven and loyal. She is as devoted to her followers as they are to her, and her dedication is admirable. She is not merely the Goddess of Love as she has come to be known recently, she is so much more than that. She also encompasses so many other traits - fury, responsibility, compassion, vulnerability, dedication. She reflects facets of womanhood that we all embody, given the opportunity. She struggles with her feelings and comprehension of the world around her in a very human way. Her relationship with Ares has her questioning her own feelings and thoughts, and makes her so accessible - not just a Goddess, but a person. And as Aphrodite struggles with her feelings, so does Ares - after all, he was created for destruction, not love. The fact that even Gods and Goddesses have doubts and concerns was somewhat comforting to me as a reader, and made me feel I understood them better.

This book is beautifully written, with wonderful descriptions of Mount Olympus and the wider world portrayed in Greek mythology. It's explorations of love, conflict, desire and anger are wonderfully done, and I can't wait to own a physical copy of this wonderful book for my selves.